Police in Boulder, Colorado are reportedly investigating the injuries of several officers after responding to a large party near the University of Colorado campus on Saturday night.
Hundreds of people gathered in a neighborhood just west of campus, according to photos and videos taken at the scene.
The university said in a statement tweeted just after 10 p.m. that it was aware of the rally and warned that residents of the area could face arrests and school penalties.
A SWAT team was eventually called into the area, with authorities estimating as many as 1,000 people at the scene, according to 9News in Denver.
Glass is absolutely everywhere on the street. Cars roll over empty vodka bottles and smash them. Most people are gone now after Boulder police arrive # 9News pic.twitter.com/Xy4PNzVV3N
– Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) March 7, 2021
Looks like there’s a no-mask party on the hill in Boulder. Awful, horrible look as we approach the end of the pandemic. @CUBoulderPolice @boulderpolice can we do something? pic.twitter.com/UIyD6Gsbhr
– Ben Berman (@benfromsf) March 7, 2021
The school said it received reports that an officer was injured as police tried to stop the massive rally.
“We are aware of a large party on University Hill on Saturday night and allegations of violence against police officers intervening at the scene,” the university said in a statement.
“We condemn this conduct. It is unacceptable and irresponsible, especially in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement that the campus and the city have devoted to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders,” he added. “CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in violence or damaging property.”
Police said three members of the SWAT team were hit with bricks and an emergency response vehicle was damaged during the chaos. Authorities are examining camera footage of police bodies as they investigate acts of violence committed by members of the crowd, local media reported.
